Pak knocks UN doors over India's interference

Islamabad: Pakistan has handed over a dossier on India’s alleged “interference” in the country to new UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres, urging the world body to play a role in “restraining” India from such activities, the foreign ministry said.

Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Maleeha Lodhi, handed over the dossier and a letter from the Prime Minister’s Adviser on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz to the UN chief here on Friday, the ministry said in a statement.

“Pakistan has asked the United Nations to restrain India from interfering in Pakistan and from activities aimed at destabilising the country,” the statement read.

It added the dossier contained additional information and proof on India and its intelligence agency Research and Analysis Wing’s (RAW) alleged interference in Pakistan and ‘involvement in terrorism’, particularly in Balochistan and Karachi areas. 

“This is a follow up to the three dossiers, which were shared with the United Nations in October 2015,” the statement read.

In the covering letter sent with the dossier, Mr Aziz claimed that the arrest of “Indian RAW agent Kulbhushan Yadav from Balochistan and his confessional statement, admitting involvement in activities aimed at destabilising Pakistan, and support to terrorist elements vindicated Pakistan’s long-standing position about India’s involvement in such activities”.

Yadav was arrested in Balochistan in March last year for allegedly spying and carrying out terror strikes in Pakistan. India has acknowledged that Yadav had served the Indian Navy but denied his connection with the government.

Mr Aziz said India was carrying out these activities in clear contravention of the UN Charter and resolutions of the UN Security Council on counter-terrorism and international conventions on terrorism.

“India’s hostile intentions towards Pakistan were borne out by the recent statements of its political and military leadership,” he said.

Mr Aziz said Pakistan has made immense contribution in countering global terrorism, apart from registering significant gains in fighting terror at home. 

“This achievement has come at a great national cost, including the lives of thousands of civilians and security personnel. India’s actions threaten to undermine these gains,” he said.

He urged the Secretary-General and relevant United Nations bodies to take note of the issue in light of the information shared by Pakistan and play a role in ‘restraining India’ from carrying out activities, which are in clear violation of international law and pose a threat to regional and international peace and security.

Pakistan, he said, aspired for peace with all its neighbours, including India. 

“It is convinced that the common objectives of economic development and prosperity for our people can best be promoted through regional cooperation, conflict resolution and peaceful settlement of disputes. At the same time, however, Pakistan will resolutely defend its territorial integrity and take all necessary measures to counter any threat to its security,” he added.